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WO1997048142A1 - Procede et appareil pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un systeme de production d'energie electrique comprenant des piles a combustible, a une temperature inferieure a la temperature de congelation de l'eau - Google Patents

Procede et appareil pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un systeme de production d'energie electrique comprenant des piles a combustible, a une temperature inferieure a la temperature de congelation de l'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997048142A1
WO1997048142A1 PCT/CA1997/000396 CA9700396W WO9748142A1 WO 1997048142 A1 WO1997048142 A1 WO 1997048142A1 CA 9700396 W CA9700396 W CA 9700396W WO 9748142 A1 WO9748142 A1 WO 9748142A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
water
stream
fuel
stack
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CA1997/000396
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas J. Fletcher
Gustav A. Boehm
Eric G. Pow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ballard Power Systems Inc
Daimler Benz AG
Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc
Original Assignee
Ballard Power Systems Inc
Daimler Benz AG
Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ballard Power Systems Inc, Daimler Benz AG, Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc filed Critical Ballard Power Systems Inc
Priority to JP10501009A priority Critical patent/JP2000512068A/ja
Priority to GB9826896A priority patent/GB2330686C/en
Priority to AU29473/97A priority patent/AU2947397A/en
Priority to CA002257302A priority patent/CA2257302C/fr
Publication of WO1997048142A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997048142A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
    • H01M8/04302—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during start-up
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0267—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
    • H01M8/04303—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during shut-down
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2457—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04029—Heat exchange using liquids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrochemical fuel cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for commencing operation of an electric power generation system which includes a fuel cell stack having a core temperature below the freezing temperature of water.
  • Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxidant to electricity and reaction product.
  • Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly ("MEA") which comprises an ion exchange membrane or solid polymer electrolyte disposed between two electrodes typically comprising a layer of porous, electrically conductive sheet material, such as carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth.
  • MEA membrane electrode assembly
  • the MEA contains a layer of catalyst, typically in the form of finely comminuted platinum, at each membrane/electrode interface to induce the desired electrochemical reaction.
  • the electrodes are electrically coupled to provide a circuit for conducting electrons between the electrodes through an external circuit.
  • the fuel stream moves through the porous anode substrate and is oxidized at the anode electrocatalyst layer.
  • the oxidant stream moves through the porous cathode substrate and is reduced at the cathode electrocatalyst layer to form a reaction product .
  • the catalyzed reaction at the anode produces hydrogen cations (protons) from the fuel supply.
  • the ion exchange membrane facilitates the migration of protons from the anode to the cathode.
  • the membrane isolates the hydrogen-containing fuel stream from the oxygen-containing oxidant stream.
  • oxygen reacts with the protons that have crossed the membrane to form water as the reaction product.
  • the MEA is disposed between two electrically conductive fluid flow field plates or separator plates.
  • Fluid flow field plates have at least one flow passage formed in at least one of the major planar surfaces thereof.
  • the flow passages direct the fuel and oxidant to the respective electrodes, namely, the anode on the fuel side and the cathode on the oxidant side.
  • the fluid flow field plates act as current collectors, provide support for the electrodes, provide access channels for the fuel and oxidant to the respective anode and cathode surfaces, and provide channels for the removal of reaction products, such as water, formed during operation of the cell.
  • Separator plates typically do not have flow passages formed in the surfaces thereof, but are used in combination with an adjacent layer of material which provides access passages for the fuel and oxidant to the respective anode and cathode electrocatalyst, and provides passages for the removal of reaction products.
  • the preferred operating temperature range for solid polymer fuel cells is typically 50 - 120°C.
  • Two or more fuel cells can be electrically connected together in series to increase the overall power output of the assembly. In series arrangements, one side of a given fluid flow field or separator plate can serve as an anode plate for one cell and the other side of the fluid flow field or separator plate can serve as the cathode plate for the adjacent cell.
  • Such a multiple fuel cell arrangement is referred to as a fuel cell stack, and is usually held together in its assembled state by tie rods and end plates.
  • the stack typically includes inlet ports and manifolds for directing the fluid fuel stream (such as substantially pure hydrogen, methanol reformate or natural gas reformate, or a methanol-containing stream in a direct methanol fuel cell) and the fluid oxidant stream (such as substantially pure oxygen, oxygen- containing air or oxygen in a carrier gas such as nitrogen) to the individual fuel cell reactant flow passages.
  • the stack also commonly includes an inlet port and manifold for directing a coolant fluid stream, typically water, to interior passages within the stack to absorb heat generated by the fuel cell during operation.
  • the stack also generally includes exhaust manifolds and outlet ports for expelling the depleted reactant streams, and the reaction products such as water, as well as an exhaust manifold and outlet port for the coolant stream exiting the stack.
  • various fuel, oxidant and coolant conduits carry these fluid streams to and from the fuel cell stack.
  • Solid polymer fuel cells generally employ perfluorosulfonic ion exchange membranes, such as those sold by DuPont under its NAFION trade designation and by Dow under the trade designation XUS 13204.10.
  • the fuel and oxidant reactant streams are typically humidified before they are introduced to solid polymer fuel cells so as to facilitate proton transport through the ion exchange membrane and to avoid drying (and damaging) the membrane separating the anode and cathode of each cell.
  • Each reactant stream exiting the fuel cell stack generally contains water.
  • the outlet fuel stream from the anodes generally contains water added to humidify the stream plus any product water drawn across the membrane from the cathode.
  • the outlet oxidant stream from the cathodes generally contains water added to humidify the stream plus product water formed at the cathode.
  • the freezing temperature of water means the freezing temperature of free water, that is, 0°C at 1 atmosphere. In this regard, it would be convenient and would simplify the system hardware if operation of the fuel cell stack could be commenced below the freezing temperature of water, without the need to first heat the fuel cell stack using an external source.
  • a method and apparatus for commencing operation of a fuel cell electric power generation system from below the freezing temperature of water are provided. Also, a method and apparatus for ceasing operation of a fuel cell electric power generation system and subsequently commencing operation of the system from below the freezing temperature of water are provided.
  • an electric power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the external circuit.
  • the fuel cell stack comprises at least one fuel cell, the at least one fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a water permeable ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, at least a portion of the membrane electrode assembly having a temperature below the freezing temperature of water.
  • the system further comprises a fuel reactant stream and an oxidant reactant stream, each of the reactant streams being flowable to the fuel cell stack.
  • the method comprises the step of: supplying electric current from the fuel cell stack to the external circuit such that the temperature of the portion of the membrane electrode assembly exceeds the freezing temperature of water.
  • the step of supplying electric current from the fuel cell stack to the external circuit comprises decreasing the effective resistance of the circuit.
  • the lower the effective resistance of the external circuit the greater the current supplied by the fuel cell stack.
  • the effective resistance of the external circuit may be decreased, for example, by inclusion of one or more load elements connected in parallel in the circuit, or by varying the duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation device connected in the circuit.
  • the effective resistance of the external circuit may be decreased so the fuel cell stack is effectively short circuited for a period of time.
  • any preferred current-time profile may be used, for example gradual or stepwise increases in the current supplied by the fuel cell stack, supplying current pulses, decreasing the current from the initial value, or supplying a fluctuating current.
  • the step further comprises increasing the flow rate of at least one of the reactant streams. As the fuel cell stack supplies more current to the external circuit it consumes more reactants. Typically the flow rate of the reactant streams is adjusted so that the flow rate is always sufficient to meet the current demanded by the external circuit, and the fuel cell is not "starved" of either of the reactants.
  • the external circuit comprises electrical heating means, such as a resistor, for heating at least a portion of the fuel cell stack, thus in a preferred method the fuel cell stack supplies electric current to electrical heating means for raising the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack.
  • the electrical heating means may heat the stack directly or indirectly.
  • a battery also supplies electric current to the electrical heating means.
  • the power generation system further comprises a coolant fluid stream flowable in thermal contact with the fuel cell stack; the electrical heating means may be used to heat the coolant fluid stream, and thereby raise the temperature of the stack.
  • the coolant fluid stream may be water or a liquid or solution which does not freeze at the freezing temperature of water.
  • the electrical heating means comprises at least one conduit formed from electrically conductive material, the at least one conduit carrying at least one of the reactant streams or preferably the coolant stream in the power generation system.
  • the power generation system comprises a coolant fluid stream comprising water
  • the stack comprises at least one passage for flowing the coolant stream
  • the at least one passage preferably has compliant means associated therewith for accommodating the expansion of freezing water within the at least one passage.
  • an electric power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the external circuit.
  • the stack comprises at least one fuel cell, the at least one fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a water permeable ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the system further comprises a fuel reactant stream and an oxidant reactant stream, each of the reactant streams being flowable to the fuel cell stack.
  • the method comprises the sequential steps of:
  • the step of interrupting the supply of electric current from the fuel cell stack to the external circuit comprises increasing the resistance of the circuit.
  • the external electrical circuit is disconnected.
  • the step further comprises decreasing the flow rate of at least one of the reactant streams.
  • the method preferably comprises an additional step between step (a) and step (b) .
  • the additional step comprises purging water from at least one, and preferably both, of the reactant stream passages. Preferably water is purged from the at least one reactant passage by circulating a gas stream through the passage.
  • the method preferably comprises an additional step between step (a) and step (b) .
  • the additional step comprises purging water from the coolant stream passage.
  • water is purged from the coolant passage by circulating a gas stream through the passage.
  • a freeze tolerant fuel cell electric power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the external circuit.
  • the stack comprises at least one fuel cell, the at least one fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a water permeable ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the stack further comprises at least one passage for flowing a coolant stream comprising water, the at least one coolant passage having compliant means associated therewith for accommodating the expansion of freezing water within the at least one coolant passage.
  • a fuel reactant stream and an oxidant reactant stream are each flowable to the fuel cell stack.
  • a freeze tolerant system preferably further comprises means for purging water from at least one of the reactant stream passages.
  • the purging means can comprise a pump for circulating a gas stream through the at least one reactant stream passage, or a pressurized purge gas supply system.
  • Another freeze tolerant fuel cell electric power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the external circuit.
  • the stack comprises at least one fuel cell, the at least one fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a water permeable ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the system further comprises at least one conduit for flowing a fluid stream to the fuel cell stack, - li ⁇
  • the conduit formed from electrically conductive material, wherein the external circuit comprises the conduit.
  • the fluid stream is a coolant stream.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a typical solid polymer electrochemical fuel cell with a membrane electrode assembly interposed between two fluid flow field plates.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective cut-away view of an electrochemical fuel cell stack.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell electric power generation system.
  • FIG. 4 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot A) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot B) for a 10-cell stack, operation of which was commenced after the stack had equilibrated at a core temperature of -11°C.
  • FIG. 5 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot C) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot D) for a 4-cell stack, operation of which was commenced at a core temperature of -19°C.
  • FIG. 6 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot E) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot F) for a 4-cell stack, operation of which was commenced at a core temperature of -23°C.
  • the fuel and oxidant reactant gas streams are circulated within the fuel cell stack and electric current is supplied by the stack, while the stack has a core temperature below the freezing temperature of water.
  • the core temperature of the stack is below the freezing temperature of water when at least a portion of the membrane adjacent the electrocatalyst, in a membrane electrode assembly of at least one of the fuel cells which make up the stack, has a temperature below the freezing temperature of water.
  • the reactant passages including the manifolds and individual fuel cell reactant flow passages, within the stack are preferably purged with an essentially dry gas stream before the temperature of the stack is decreased to below the freezing temperature of water.
  • a gas which is not reactive in the fuel cell environment such as nitrogen, is used.
  • Suitable compressible devices include, for example, closed cell foam inserts, sealed tube-shaped flexible cushions containing a compressible fluid, or flexible inserts containing a fluid which is displaced (from the portion of insert located within the header) when the insert is compressed by freezing water.
  • a compliant stack compression mechanism such as, for example, a spring mechanism or a pneumatic or hydraulic piston, also accommodates the expansion of freezing water in the fluid flow field plate channels, thereby preventing damage to the flow field plates and neighboring structures.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a typical fuel cell 10.
  • Fuel cell 10 includes a membrane electrode assembly 12 interposed between anode flow field plate 14 and cathode flow field plate 16.
  • Membrane electrode assembly 12 consists of an ion exchange membrane 20 interposed between two electrodes, namely, anode 21 and cathode 22.
  • anode 21 and cathode 22 comprise a substrate of porous electrically conductive sheet material 23 and 24, respectively, for example, carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth.
  • Each substrate has a thin layer of electrocatalyst 25 and 26, respectively, disposed on one surface thereof at the interface with membrane 20 to render each electrode electrochemically active.
  • anode flow field plate 14 has at least one fuel flow channel 14a engraved, milled or molded in its surface facing anode 21.
  • cathode separator plate 16 has at least one oxidant flow channel 16a engraved, milled or molded in its surface facing cathode 22.
  • channels 14a and 16a form the reactant flow field passages for the fuel and oxidant, respectively.
  • the flow field plates are electrically conductive.
  • a fuel cell stack 100 includes a plurality of fuel cell assemblies, a series of which is designated as 111 in FIG. 2. Each of the fuel cell assemblies includes a membrane electrode assembly 112 interposed between a pair of fluid flow field plates 114, 116. Fuel cell stack 100 also includes a first end plate 130 and a second end plate 140.
  • Plate 130 includes fluid inlet ports 132, 134, 136 for introducing fluid fuel, oxidant and coolant streams, respectively, to the stack.
  • Plate 140 includes fluid outlet ports 142, 144, 146 for exhausting fluid fuel, oxidant and coolant streams, respectively, from the stack.
  • the fluid outlet ports are fluidly connected to the corresponding fluid inlet ports via passages within the stack.
  • the fuel cell assemblies have a series of openings formed therein, which cooperate with corresponding openings in adjacent assemblies to form fluid manifolds 152, 154, 156, 162, 164, 166 within the stack 100.
  • a fuel stream entering the stack via fuel inlet port 132 is directed to the individual fuel flow field plates via manifold 152. After passing through the fuel flow field plate channels, the fuel stream is collected in manifold 162 and exhausted from the stack via fuel outlet port 142.
  • an oxidant stream entering the stack via oxidant inlet port 134 is directed to individual oxidant flow field plates via manifold 154. After passing through the oxidant flow field plate channels, the oxidant stream is collected in manifold 164 and exhausted from the stack via oxidant outlet port 144.
  • a fluid coolant (typically water) introduced via coolant inlet port 136 is directed to coolant plate assemblies (not shown) in the stack 100 via manifold 156.
  • the coolant stream is collected in manifold 166 and exhausted from the stack via coolant outlet port 146.
  • Coolant manifolds 156, 166 may be fitted with compliant means (not shown) , such as tube cushions or inserts made of closed cell foam, to accommodate the expansion of freezing water.
  • Tie rods 170 extend between end plates 130 and 140 to compress and secure stack 100 in its assembled state with fastening nuts 172 disposed at opposite ends of each tie rod, and disc springs 174 interposed between the fastening nuts 172 and end plates 130, 140.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell electric power generation system 200 comprising a fuel cell stack 210.
  • the fuel cell stack 210 includes negative and positive bus plates 212, 214, respectively, to which an external circuit comprising a variable load 216 is electrically connectable by closing switch 218.
  • the system includes a fuel (hydrogen) circuit, an oxidant (air) circuit, and a coolant water circuit. The reactant and coolant streams are circulated in the system in various conduits illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.
  • a hydrogen supply 220 is connected to the stack 210, and the pressure is controlled by pressure regulator 221. Water in the hydrogen stream exiting the stack 210 is accumulated in a knock drum 222, which can be drained by opening valve 223. Unreacted hydrogen is recirculated to stack 210 by a pump 224 in recirculation loop 225.
  • An air supply 230 is connected to the stack 210, the pressure of which is controlled by pressure regulator 231. Water in the air stream exiting the stack 210 is accumulated in reservoir 232, which can be drained by opening valve 233, and the air stream is vented from the system via valve 234.
  • water is pumped from reservoir 232 and circulated through stack 210 by pump 241.
  • the temperature of the water is adjusted in a heat exchanger 242.
  • a purge system 250 is used to purge the hydrogen and oxidant passages in fuel cell stack 210 with low humidity, non-reactive gas. Flow of gas (dry nitrogen) from a purge gas supply
  • FIG. 4 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot A) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot B) for a 10-cell stack to which the flow of fuel and oxidant was restored after the stack had equilibrated at a core temperature of -11°C.
  • the stack had been operating previously, and therefore the reactant flow passages contained moist gases.
  • the reactant and coolant water passages within the stack were purged by circulating dry, compressed air through them.
  • the stack core temperature was then lowered below the freezing temperature of water by exposing the stack to a surrounding environment with a temperature below the freezing temperature of water.
  • the stack was typically placed in an insulated chamber, with the fluid and electrical connections to the stack fitted through the chamber walls. Cold nitrogen gas from a liquid nitrogen source was circulated through the chamber.
  • the stack core temperature was measured using a thermocouple positioned in a thermally conductive plate located between two fuel cells in the center of the stack. Stack voltage, stack current and ambient temperature were also monitored.
  • FIG. 5 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot C) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot D) for a 4-cell stack, operation of which was commenced at a core temperature of -19°C.
  • the reactant passages within the stack were purged by circulating dry, nitrogen. Coolant water remained in the coolant passages.
  • the purge gas is an inert gas such as nitrogen. Circulation of hydrogen and air was commenced with a load (50 amp) connected. Approximately 2 minutes transpired before the output current reached 50 amps. The load was increased to 260 amps once the stack reached about 30°C, and the coolant pump was then activated. One cell in the stack was not operating properly; hence the lower than normal average cell voltages.
  • FIG. 6 is a composite plot of fuel cell stack voltage versus time in minutes (plot E) and fuel cell stack core temperature versus time in minutes (plot F) for a 4-cell stack, operation of which was commenced at a core temperature of -23°C.
  • the stack had been operated previously, but in this test the fuel and oxidant stream passages were not purged with dry gas before the stack was cooled, and the coolant passages contained water.
  • the hydrogen stream did not begin to flow properly for about 4 minutes, possibly because the hydrogen stream passages were occluded with water or ice.
  • the open circuit voltage was normal. A 50 amp load was applied after 4 minutes, and the stack produced about 45 amps for a few seconds.
  • the output current then declined to about 15 amps for about 8 minutes, possibly due to formation of ice from product water.
  • the stack core temperature was about 0°C and the stack produced 50 amps steadily.
  • the load was increased to 250 amps, and approximately 14 minutes transpired before the stack assumed this load.
  • Membrane electrolytes such as DuPont's NAFION® and Dow's experimental membrane (trade designation XUS 13204.10) , appear to be sufficiently ionically conductive even at temperatures of -20°C to permit the electrochemical reaction to occur within the fuel cells.

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  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un appareil conçus pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un système de production d'énergie électrique, ce système comprenant un empilement de piles à combustible destinées à alimenter en courant électrique un circuit électrique externe. Cet empilement comprend au moins une pile à combustible constituée d'un ensemble d'électrodes à membrane doté d'une anode, d'une cathode et d'une membrane échangeuse d'ions, perméable à l'eau, placée entre l'anode et la cathode. Un flux de combustible et un flux d'agents d'oxydation peuvent s'écouler dans la pile à combustible. Au moins une partie de l'ensemble d'électrodes à membrane a une température inférieure à la température de congélation de l'eau. On déclenche l'alimentation en courant du circuit électrique à partir de l'empilement de piles à combustible de sorte que la température de l'ensemble d'électrodes à membrane dépasse la température de congélation de l'eau.
PCT/CA1997/000396 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 Procede et appareil pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un systeme de production d'energie electrique comprenant des piles a combustible, a une temperature inferieure a la temperature de congelation de l'eau Ceased WO1997048142A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10501009A JP2000512068A (ja) 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 水の凝固温度より低い温度での燃料電池電力発生装置の作動開始方法及び装置
GB9826896A GB2330686C (en) 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 Method and apparatus for commencing operation of afuel cell electric power generation system below the freezing temperature of water
AU29473/97A AU2947397A (en) 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 Method and apparatus for commencing operation of a fuel cell electric power generation system below the freezing temperature of water
CA002257302A CA2257302C (fr) 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 Procede et appareil pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un systeme de production d'energie electrique comprenant des piles a combustible, a une temperature inferieure a la temperature de congelation de l'eau

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/659,921 1996-06-07
US08/659,921 US5798186A (en) 1996-06-07 1996-06-07 Method and apparatus for commencing operation of a fuel cell electric power generation system below the freezing temperature of water

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997048142A1 true WO1997048142A1 (fr) 1997-12-18

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PCT/CA1997/000396 Ceased WO1997048142A1 (fr) 1996-06-07 1997-06-04 Procede et appareil pour la mise en route et le fonctionnement d'un systeme de production d'energie electrique comprenant des piles a combustible, a une temperature inferieure a la temperature de congelation de l'eau

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5798186A (fr)
JP (1) JP2000512068A (fr)
AU (1) AU2947397A (fr)
CA (1) CA2257302C (fr)
GB (1) GB2330686C (fr)
WO (1) WO1997048142A1 (fr)

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CA2257302C (fr) 2007-12-04
US5798186A (en) 1998-08-25
AU2947397A (en) 1998-01-07
CA2257302A1 (fr) 1997-12-18
GB2330686A (en) 1999-04-28
GB9826896D0 (en) 1999-01-27
JP2000512068A (ja) 2000-09-12
GB2330686B (en) 2000-07-12
GB2330686C (en) 2011-05-04

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